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The Eight Limbs of Yoga


Synopsis


"A clear, concise guidebook to the essentials of yogic thought and practice Many people think yoga simply means postures and breathing. Not true. The intention of this short guide is practical and straightforward: to say what yoga really is and to apply its principles to everyday life. It leads us through the eight-limbed system, a coherent framework that has been handed down and elaborated upon for thousands of years and consists of five "outer limbs," which pertain to our experience of the social world and the operation of our senses, and three "inner limbs," which focus on the mind. Stuart Ray Sarbacker and Kevin Kimple present the eight-limbed system as something that can be turned to again and again to deepen and expand understanding and practice. As an introduction and overview to the essence of yoga, The Eight Limbs of Yoga is unparalleled for clarity, usefulness, and concision"--.

Stuart Ray Sarbacker, Kevin Kimple

Summary

Chapter 1: Yama (Restraints)

* Explanation: The five ethical principles to avoid harmful actions and cultivate virtue.
* Example: Practicing honesty (satya) by refraining from lying or deceiving others.

Chapter 2: Niyama (Observances)

* Explanation: Personal practices that cultivate self-discipline and purification.
* Example: Observing cleanliness (saucha) by keeping one's body, mind, and environment tidy.

Chapter 3: Asana (Postures)

* Explanation: Physical postures that strengthen the body and prepare it for meditation.
* Example: Downward-facing dog pose (adho mukha svanasana) to improve flexibility and core strength.

Chapter 4: Pranayama (Breath Control)

* Explanation: Techniques to control the breath and regulate the flow of prana (life force).
* Example: Alternate nostril breathing (nadi shodhana) to balance the nervous system.

Chapter 5: Pratyahara (Sense Withdrawal)

* Explanation: The practice of detaching from external stimuli and turning the attention inward.
* Example: Closing the eyes during meditation to minimize distractions.

Chapter 6: Dharana (Concentration)

* Explanation: Focusing the mind on a single object or thought to achieve mental clarity.
* Example: Concentrating on the breath during pranayama to calm the mind.

Chapter 7: Dhyana (Meditation)

* Explanation: The state of deep absorption and connection with the inner self.
* Example: Practicing mindfulness meditation to observe thoughts and emotions without judgment.

Chapter 8: Samadhi (Enlightenment)

* Explanation: The ultimate goal of yoga, an experience of complete unity with the divine or universal consciousness.
* Example: Although difficult to describe, samadhi can be experienced as a state of boundless joy, peace, and interconnectedness.